Marijuana Use in Pregnancy and While Breastfeeding
Marijuana crosses the placenta and may be concentrated in breast milk. There is increasing evidence that marijuana use during pregnancy may adversely impact fetal and neonatal brain development and that these effects may be long lasting. Although the effects are subtle, it appears that attention, executive function, and behavior may be altered and these effects persist from early childhood through adolescence. We want to educate women so that they understand that marijuana, like other substances and medications used during pregnancy, may pose a risk to their developing infants. The AAP advises that pregnant and breastfeeding women not smoke or ingest marijuana and babies should not be exposed to second hand marijuana smoke. Additionally, marijuana use by a parent or caretaker of a baby, can impact their ability to respond to the baby’s physical, emotional and intellectual needs. Be aware that many patients and their families might see marijuana as a natural substance and thus safe during pregnancy and during breastfeeding. They may be advised by non-medical personnel to use marijuana for the treatment of nausea, anxiety, insomnia and pain. Be sure to:
Identify marijuana users early in pregnancy
Advise against using any medical or recreational marijuana during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Assist patients who use marijuana with managing withdrawal and other symptoms when they stop or decrease their usage.
Advise against breastfeeding if the mother will resume or continue with frequent marijuana use post delivery
Be aware that current state law requires postpartum to report neonatal toxicology screens positive for marijuana to Child and Family Services. This may change in November if Marijuana is legalized in CA
Interested in more information? Article: Cannabis, the pregnant woman and her child: weeding out the myths in the Journal of Perinatology (2014) 34, 417 – 424
Marijuana Use in Pregnancy and While Breastfeeding
Marijuana crosses the placenta and may be concentrated in breast milk. There is increasing evidence that marijuana use during pregnancy may adversely impact fetal and neonatal brain development and that these effects may be long lasting. Although the effects are subtle, it appears that attention, executive function, and behavior may be altered and these effects persist from early childhood through adolescence. We want to educate women so that they understand that marijuana, like other substances and medications used during pregnancy, may pose a risk to their developing infants. The AAP advises that pregnant and breastfeeding women not smoke or ingest marijuana and babies should not be exposed to second hand marijuana smoke. Additionally, marijuana use by a parent or caretaker of a baby, can impact their ability to respond to the baby’s physical, emotional and intellectual needs. Be aware that many patients and their families might see marijuana as a natural substance and thus safe during pregnancy and during breastfeeding. They may be advised by non-medical personnel to use marijuana for the treatment of nausea, anxiety, insomnia and pain.
Be sure to:
- Identify marijuana users early in pregnancy
- Advise against using any medical or recreational marijuana during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
- Assist patients who use marijuana with managing withdrawal and other symptoms when they stop or decrease their usage.
- Advise against breastfeeding if the mother will resume or continue with frequent marijuana use post delivery
- Be aware that current state law requires postpartum to report neonatal toxicology screens positive for marijuana to Child and Family Services. This may change in November if Marijuana is legalized in CA
Interested in more information? Article: Cannabis, the pregnant woman and her child: weeding out the myths in the Journal of Perinatology (2014) 34, 417 – 424